Electronic animated advertising sign system



Jan. 23, 1951 R. H. SEAMAN ELECTRONIC ANIMATED ADVERTISING SIGN SYSTEMFiled May 7, 1947 mm \m INVENVTOR.

581064140 @QCM m vv BY A TTOR/VEY Patented Jan. 23, 1951 ELECTRONICANIMATED ADVERTISING SIGN SYSTEM Richard H. Seaman, Los Angeles, Calif.,assignor to Mega Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation ofCalifornia Application May 7, 1947, Serial No. 746,602

1t Claims.

My invention relates broadly to animated electronic discharge tube signsystems and more par ticu-arly to a circuit arrangement for anelectronic discharge tube sign system employing composite pulse andalternating current excitation.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a circuit arrangementfor an electronic discharge animated sign system employing amultiplicity of coacting electronic discharge tubes with compositeassociated power supply circuits for furnishing direct current pulses tothe tube circuits for effecting an animated operation of the circuit andsupplying alternating current to the tube circuits for sustaining thedischarge established through the tube system.

Another object of my invention is to provide a combined current pulseand alternating current excitation system for electronic dischargesigns.

Another object of my invention is to provide an e'ectronic dischargeanimated and writing sign system :for operation from standard commercialalternating power and employing a multiplicity of electronic dischargetubes with minimum utilization of rectifying power for operation of thesign.

Another object of my invention is to provide a circuit arrangement foran animated or writing electronic discharge sign employing amultiplicity of coacting luminous discharge tubes including a powersuppy and distribution system for main-- taining substantial uniformillumination during writing as well as burning operations.

A still further object of my invention is to provi e a circu ararrangement for an electronic discharge sign system emp oying amultiplicity of coacting electronic discharge tubes including startingmeans for exciting the tubes in direct current power sup y pulses andsustaining means for melting the electronic discharge tubes froma'ternating current in a manner insuring intense brillian y of the tubesystems.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the composite directcurrent-alternating current animated e ectronic discharge sign system asset forth more fully in the specification herein after following byreference to the accompanying drawing which diagrammatically and shematically shows the system of my invention.

My invention is directed to a novel method of operation and a circuitarrangement for an animated sign in which repeated and cyclic writing 1effects are displayed. The novel method em-- ployed consists in theenergization of the mech anism of coacting electronic discharge tubes incyclic order by electrical currents of widely different characteristics.The system of my in-:

-9, Ill, ii and i2 in tube 23.

vention employs direct current pulses for starting the electronicdischarge and alternating current for sustaining the discharge, that is,unidirectional current pulses are applied to electronic discharge tubesof symmetrical construction for starting the discharge, while bilateralcurrent or commercial sinusoidal alternating current is ap-'- plied. tothe symmertically constructed tubes during the running operation of thesign.

Referring to the drawing in detail the coacting electronic dischargetube sections are represented at 2 l, 22 and 23. A composite cathode andanode electrode is mounted in each of the ends of each of the tubes asrepresented at It and [5 in tube 2!; It and ii in tube 22; and i8 and [9in tube 23. A series of spaced anodes are arranged within each of thetubes as represented at I, 2, 3 and 4 in tube 2!; 5, 5,1 and 8 in tube22; and Thus, a symmetrical construction and system of coacting tubes isprovided.

The composite cathode and anode devices opcrate to facilitate theestablishing of a growing luminous glow which progressively fills outall tube sections 2!, 22 and 23, then quenches and repeats over and overagain. The coacting tube system produces a continuous writing glow. Themultiple sections 2!, 22 and 23, etc., of the tubes are used to permitlower a plied anode voltages to be employed and thereby comply with theBoard of Fire Underwriters regulations. Sections 2! and 22 may beshorter than section 23 when they apply to letters which may be shorterin tube length than the letter represented by tube 23. That is to saythe princi les of my invention app y irrespective of the lengths of thetubes. The two sections 22 and 23 may be connected in electri al series,just as section 2| is in s ries with section 22. Section 23 isrepresentative of a tube long enough to require a separate anode source.

The system is energized from the standard 7 power source such as 60cycle alternating current,

indi ated at 55. The full wave rectifier system 2'! supplies rectifiedpulses to each of the electrodes of t e several tubes for starting thewriting or animation or design. The alternating current so rce forsections 2| and 22 is represented by the secondary winding oftransformer 25. The secondary winding of transformer 25 constitut s theanode supply for tube section '23.

In order to sel cti e v erc t the el ct od s of the severa t bes I pro ie drivin motor 96 which operates shaft 2! to drive switch arm 28 whi hro ates over the circular row ofcontacts I'M-l2 and the intermediatecontacts l4. l5, I1 and I9 and'the segmental rings 29, so and-3]arranged in the path of contactors 32 and 33 car- 3 ried by arm 28. Thetubes 2| and 22 are electrically connected in series while tube 23 isindependent of tubes 2| and 22. The activation of the electrodes isefiected by movement of the contactor 32 on switch arm 28 over thecontacts |'-|2 and the intermediate contacts. The full wave rectifiersystem 20 i used in building up the glow in the respective tube sections2|, 22 and 23. This requires only one full wave rectified current supplsystem 28, even though a multiple number of tube sections 2|, 22 and 23are employed instead of a multiplicity of such supplies as normallyrequired. The sustained activation secured by the operation of the tubesby the alternating current supply system insures the operation of theglow sign, so that it burns with as great a brilliancy as it writes.

' To accomplish all these objects I provide a special rotary switchsystem or commutator for which 28 is the revolving arm on which 32 and33 A are metallic contactors carried thereby. Conta'ctor 32 iselectricall connected to the positive terminal of the full waverectifier system 28 through a conductor 85 carried through insulated arm28. insulated from contactor 32 and serves the purpose of bridgingelectrically the metallic segments 29, 30 and 3| as the arm 28 movesover thes segments. There is a break in the outer metallic segment 29 at33. There are two switches 35 and 36 associated with the revolvingcontact mecha nism. Switch 35 is normally closed when arm 28 does not goover it, while switch 38 is normally open when arm 28 does not go overit.

There are also relays 3?, 38 and 33 whose contacts are only closed whenthe respective associated relay coils 37a, 38a and 39a can carrycurrent.

When arm 28 rests on contact I the contactor 32 establishing electricalconnection therewith, the positive terminal of the full wave rectifiersystem 2|! is connected to anode l of tube 2|. The output circuit ofrectifier system 23 is unfiltered but includes the conventionalresistive reactance which I have designated at 85 and which is connectedbetween the output of the rectifier system 2|] and the arm 28, providinga load on the rectifier system from which pulses are supplied. to thetube electrodes. Hence, a glow discharge occurs between the compositecathode and anode electrode H-i of tube 2| and anode When arm 28 movesto contact point 2' the glow has grown to anode 2 of tube 2|.Accordingly, when arm 28 has moved progressively or sequentially intoposition of contact point |5' the positive Voltage of source 2|) isapplied to the composite cathode and anode electrode ll: of the tube 2|and the entire tube 2| glows along its entire length. In

6' the glow of tube 22 grows as far as the anode 6. When arm 28 movesfurther in a clockwise direction to cover contact 1' then the entiretube 22 glows. This means that glow exists over both full lengths oftubes 2| and 22.

By means of metallic contactor 33 on the arm 28 both segmental rings 28and 3| are connected @to the negative terminal of the full waverectifie'r system 28 through contactor 33 and'the'composite cathode andanode it of tube2! and E8 of tube 23 during a given portion of thewriting cycle. The negative terminal of the rectifier system Contactor33 is carried on arm 28 and e 4 is connected via contactor 33 and ring3| to composite cathode and anode M in tube 2|. The negative terminal ofth rectifier system 28 is then applied through contactor 33 to segmentalring 38 to composite cathode and anode iii of tube 23. Contactor 32connects to contact 3 which charges anode 9 in tube 23 whereby glowappears between composite cathode and anode i8 and anode 9. When arm 28has progressively moved '1- over contact l9 the entire tube section 23glows along its entire length. Hence, all three tube sections 2|, 22 and23 glow fully. When arm 28 leaves contact I?! it afiects switch 35,opening switch 35 which turn the anode power ofi by opening circuit 38,because switch 35 opens the current supply to relay coil 33a and thecontacts 39b of rela 38 open. Hence tubes 2|, 22 and 23 can no longerglow.

But as soon as arm 28 passes switch 35, the switch 35 closes again, butcontacts 32?) of relay 39 remain open, due to the Open switch 38.Therefore, tubes 2|, 22 and 23 will not glow. The unnumbered contactpoints constitute rest points for revolving arm 28 and are swept b arm28 without any effect until arm 23 hits switch 38 and closes switch 36.The time interval consumed by th movement of switch arm 28 over theblank contacts enhances the attractiveness of the display or growingcolumn of light. Switch controls circuit 3| which causes relay contacts3% to close and the anode supply power is activated again. As arm 28leaves switch 33, switch 36 will open again, but contacts 3% of relay 39remain closed and the anode power stays on. Now there are otherexpedients and functions: When contact is electrically contacted bycontactor 32 on arm 28 and tubes 2| and 22 glow entirely, relay coil 31abecomes energized and closes contacts 31b of rela 3?. This puts thesecondary winding of A. C. power transformer 24 on tubes 2| and 22.Therefore, as arm 28 is just about to connect contact point all of theanode power comes from the full wave rectifier supply source 20. But,after contact I1 is connected by arm 28 all of the anode power of tubes2| and 22 comes from the secondary winding of transformer 24.

As arm 28 moves to contact 9, tubes 2| and 22 still run from thesecondary winding of transformer 2 but tube 23 builds up by means of therectified current supply system 28. Therefore, as arm 28 sweeps fromcontact 9' to contact l8, tube 23 still builds up from rectified supply23, while tubes 2| and 22 are run by means of A. C. power from thesecondary winding of transformer 23. When arm 28 moves to a position inwhich contactor 32 connects with contact IS) the winding 38a of relay 38becomes energized. The contacts 38b of relay 38 close and the secondarywinding of transformer 25 then supplies the alternating current powerfor the anodes of tube 23. After contactor 32 on arm 28 leaves contactis and relay 38 has closed circuit con tact 33b transformer secondary 25then energizes tube 23 and remains on for a desired time interval afterwhich contact arm 28 strikes con tact switch 35 and the sign goes out orturns ofif.

Source 23 is used only to build up to the condition of glow. The fullglow per tube is sustained by the alternating current transformersupply. However, only one full wave rectifier 28 is needed for themultiplicity of tubes as shown. The alternating current for energizingthe cathode portions of the composite cathodes and anodes 5-l6-|l--|8-|9is supplied by transformer system Tl having primary winding 18 connectedto the alternating current power supply system 55 and the multiplenumber of .secondary windings 8fl8l82-.83 and 84., respectively,connected with the cathode portions of the composite cathodes and anodesl4-l5-|B-- "-18 and I9.

The direct current pulse circuit constituted by the unfiltered rectifiersystem 20 furnishes power to the tube system for only a comparativelyshort period of time. In the example illustrated the tubes are poweredby D. C. pulses for only a minor portion of the time during which thealternating current power is impressed upon the sign system, The signsystem of my invention employs both the advantages of pulse excitationand the reversing operating of alternating current excitation of theseveral tubes. The reversing process obtained by the application ofalternating current to the symmetrically arranged cathode and anodeterminals means in each of the coacting tubes insures ionization of thetubes under conditions of such intensity that brilliancy of thedischarge is secured. Because of the emciency in securing ionizationthrough the com-- posite excitation method set forth herein the totalpower consumed for the given brilliancy of operation of the sign issubstantially less than the power consumed in conventional neon signs.

The circuit arrangement of my invention is particularly desirable byreason of the requirement of but one rectifier system for excitation ofa multiple number of discharge tubes. During the time interval that thetubes operate in a writing condition as single or unsymmetrical deviceshaving electronic emissive ends conduction can only occur in onedirection; therefore, direct current pulses of sufficient amplitude toenergize the entire length of the tube are applied to each of theintermediate anode electrodes in sequential order. After conduction hastaken place over the entire tube length, the relay system energized bythe current drawn by the tubes operates in such manner that the relaysystem applies an alternating current of equal potential as the directcurrent pulses of the rectifier sys tem to the electrodes of theelectron discharge tubes.

No change in illumination occurs when the sign is switched from pulseexcitation to ordinary alternating current excitation.

The installation of the sign of my invention is much simpler than theinstallation of conventional high potential neon signs. Moreover, themaintenance of the sign constructed in accordance with my invention andemploying the meth od of operation herein set forth is much simpler andless expensive than maintenance required for conventional signs.

While I have described my invention in certain of its embodiments Irealize that modifications in detail may be made and I intend nolimitations upon my invention other than may be imposed by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is as follows:

1. In an animated electronic sign system, a multiplicity of enactingelectron discharge tubes each including symmetrical terminal electrodearrangements formed by composite cathodes and anodes with a multiplicityof spaced anode electrodes disposed therebetween, a source ofalternating current, a full wave rectifier system connected therewith,means for selectively and sequentially connecting said rectifier systemwith the anodes of said composite cathodes and anodes and with saidanode electrodes for starting .the luminous discharge through saidtubes, and cyclically disconnecting said rectifier system from theanodes of said composite cathodes and anodes and from said anodeelectrodes and connecting said source of alternating current with saidcomposite cathodes and anodes for continuously exciting said anodes ofsaid composite cathodes and anodes and said anode electrodes in cyclicprogression.

2. In an animated electronic sign system, a multiplicity of coactingelectron discharge tubes each including symmetrical terminal electrodearrangements formed by composite cathode and anode electrodes with amultiplicity of spaced anode electrodes disposed therebetween, a sourceof alternating current, a full wave rectifier sysiii tem connectedtherewith, means for selectively and sequentially distributing directcurrent pulses from said rectifier system to said anode electrodes at arate greater than the persistence of vision, and means controlled by theflow of electron current through said tubes for supplying alternatingcurrent to said composite cathode and anode electrodes for sustainingelectronic discharge through said'coacting tubes.

3. In an animated electronic sign system, -a multiplicity of ccactingelectron discharge tubes each. including symmetrical terminal electrodearrangements formed by composite cathode and anode electrodes with amultiplicity of spaced anode electrodes disposed therebetween, a sourceof alternating current, a full wave rectifier system connectedtherewith. means for selectively and sequentially distributing directcurrent pulses from said rectifier system to said tube electrodes at arate greater than the persistence of vision .and interrupting the supplyof direct current pulses to said electrodes and means controlled by theflow of electron current through said tubes for substituting alternatingcurrent from said source for excitation of said composite cathode andanode electrodes for sustaining electronic discharge through saidcoacting electron discharge tubes.

4. In an animated electronic sign system, a multiplicity of coactingelectron discharge tubes each including symmetrical terminal electrodearrangements formed by composite cathode and "anode electrodes with amultiplicity of spaced anode electrodes disposed therebetween, a sourceof alternating current, means for exciting the cathodes, of saidcomposite cathode and anode 5. In an animated electronic sign system, a

multiplicity of coacting electron discharge tubes each includingsymmetrical terminal electrode arrangements formed by composite cathodeand anode electrodes with a multiplicity of spaced anode electrodesdisposed therebetween, a source of alternating current, means forexciting the cathodes of said composite cathode and anode electrodesfrom said source of alternating current, a full Wave rectifier systemconnected with said source of alternating current, means for selectivelyand sequentially connecting said rectifier system with said anodeelectrodes for operat ing said tubes unsymmetrically, and meanscontrolled by the electronic current through said tubes and connectedwith said source of alternating current for operating said tubesselectively and sequentially symmetrically.

6. In an animated electronic sign system, a multiplicity of coactingelectron discharge tubes each including symmetrical terminal electrodearrangements formed by composite cathode and anode electrodes with amultiplicity of spaced anode electrodes disposed therebetween, a sourceof alternating current, means for exciting the cathodes of saidcomposite cathode and anode electrodes from said source of alternatingcurrent, a full wave rectifier system connected with said source ofalternating current, means for selectively and sequentially applyingunidirectional current to said anode el ctrodes from said rectifiersystem for starting the luminous discharge through said tubes, and meanscontrolled by the electronic current through said tubes and forsupplying sinusoidal alternating current to said composite cathode andanode electrodes during running operation of said sign system.

'7. In an animated electronic sign system, a multiplicity of coactingelectron discharge tubes each including symm trical terminal electrodearrangements formed by composite cathode and anode electrodes with amultiplicity of spaced anode electrodes disposed therebetween, a sourceof bilateral current, means for exciting the cathodes of said compositecathode and anode electrodes from said source of biateral current, afull wave rectifier system connected with said source of bilat ralcurrent means for selectively and se quentially applying unidirectionalc= rrent to said anode electrodes from said rectifier system forstarting the luminous discharge through said tubes, and means controlledby the electronic current through said tubes .for applying bilateralcurrent sequentially to said composite cathode and electrodes during therunning operation of said tubes.

8. In an animated electronic sign system, a multiplicity of coactingelectron discharge tubes each including symmetrical terminal electrodearrangements formed by composite cathode and anode electrodes with amultiplicit of spaced anode electrodes disposed therebetween, a sourceof alternating current, means for exciting the cathodes of saidcomposite cathode and anode electrodes from said source of alternatingcurrent, a full Wave rectifier system connected with said source ofalternating current, a rotatable switch carrying contactors thereon, amultiplicity of contacts disposed in the path of the contactors on saidswitch and individually connected with the anode electrodes in saidtubes, electrical connections from said full wave rectifier through saidswitch for applying direct current pulses from said rectifier to saidelectrodes in sequential order for establishing the electronic dischargethrough said tubes and electrical connections between said source ofalternating current and said composite cathode and anode electrodes forapplying alternating currcnt to said composite cathode and anodeelectrodes in sequence during the tubes.

9. In an animated electronic sign system, a multiplicity of coactingelectron discharge tubes each including symmetrical terminal electrodearrangements formed by composite cathode and anode electrodes with amultiplicity of spaced anode electrodes disposed therebetween, a sourceof alternating current, means for exciting the cathodes of saidcomposite cathode and anode electrodes from said source of alternatingcurrent, a full wave rectifier system connected with said source ofalternating current, a rotatable switch carrying contactors thereon, amultiplicity of contacts disposed in the path of the contactors on saidswitch and individually connected with the anode electrodes in saidtubes, electrical connections from said full wave rectifier through saidswitch for applying direct current pulses from said rectifier to saidanode electrodes in sequential order, said rotatable switch operating tointerrupt the supply of direct current pulses to said anode electrodes,and means controlled by the flow of electronic current through saidtubes for establishing the supply of alternating current from saidsource of alternating current to said composite cathode and anodeelectrodes and sequentially controlling the progressive excitation ofsaid composite cathode and anode electrodes from said alternatingcurrent source during the running operation of said sign system.

10. In an animated electronic sign system, a multiplicity of coactingelectron discharge tubes each including symmetrical terminal electrodearrangements formed by composite cathode and anode electrodes with amultiplicity Of spaced anode electrodes disposed therebetween, a sourceof alternating current, means for exciting the cathode of said compositecathode and anode electrodes from said source of alternating current, afull wave rectifier system connected with said source of alternatingcurrent, a rotatable switch arm having contactors thereon, amultiplicity of contacts arranged in the path of one of said contactorsand electrically connected with the anode electrodes of said tubes, atset of segmental rings arranged adjacent said contacts in the path ofone of the contactors carried by said switch arm, a pair ofdiametrically disposed on and off switches arranged in the path of saidswitch arm and actuated thereby, electrical connections from saidrectifier system through said set of segmental rings for seauentiallyapplying through the assoc ated contactors direct current pulses uponsaid anode electrodes in succession, and means actuated by said on andoff switches for cyclically interrupting the application of alternatingcurrent to said composite cathode and anode electrodes.

RICHARD H. SEAMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The folowing references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

Great Britain Sept. 24, 1936

